Rivers and Lakes MCQs
Practice Rivers and Lakes MCQs with answers and detailed explanations covering major rivers of India and the world, tributaries, river systems, drainage patterns, freshwater lakes, saltwater lakes, artificial lakes, reservoirs and important geographical facts frequently asked in SSC, Railway, Banking, UPSC, JKSSB, Police, Defence, Teaching and other competitive examinations.
Question #1
Report Error
Which river is often referred to as the 'Sorrow of Bihar' due to its frequent course changes and catastrophic flooding?
Correct Answer: Option C
Explanation:
The Kosi River originates in Tibet and flows through Nepal and India. It is known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar' because it carries a massive amount of silt from the Himalayas and frequently changes its course during the monsoon, causing devastating floods in the plains of Bihar. It is a major left-bank tributary of the Ganga.
The Kosi River originates in Tibet and flows through Nepal and India. It is known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar' because it carries a massive amount of silt from the Himalayas and frequently changes its course during the monsoon, causing devastating floods in the plains of Bihar. It is a major left-bank tributary of the Ganga.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #2
Report Error
Which river forms the famous 'Dhuandhar Falls' near Jabalpur?
Correct Answer: Option C
Explanation:
The Narmada River plunges down from a height to create the Dhuandhar Falls, also known as the 'Smoke Cascade', at Bhedaghat in Madhya Pradesh. The falls are named 'Dhuandhar' because the water creates a mist-like appearance, resembling smoke, as it hits the rocks.
The Narmada River plunges down from a height to create the Dhuandhar Falls, also known as the 'Smoke Cascade', at Bhedaghat in Madhya Pradesh. The falls are named 'Dhuandhar' because the water creates a mist-like appearance, resembling smoke, as it hits the rocks.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #3
Report Error
Which of the following lakes is a 'brackish water' lagoon located on the coast of Odisha?
Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Chilika Lake in Odisha is the largest brackish water lagoon in India. It is a shallow, pear-shaped lake that is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a narrow strip of sand. It is a Ramsar site and a major habitat for migratory birds.
Chilika Lake in Odisha is the largest brackish water lagoon in India. It is a shallow, pear-shaped lake that is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a narrow strip of sand. It is a Ramsar site and a major habitat for migratory birds.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #4
Report Error
The 'Indus River' originates in which of the following regions?
Correct Answer: Option A
Explanation:
The Indus River originates from the northern slopes of the Kailash Range near Lake Mansarovar in Tibet. It flows through the Ladakh region of India and enters Pakistan, eventually draining into the Arabian Sea near Karachi.
The Indus River originates from the northern slopes of the Kailash Range near Lake Mansarovar in Tibet. It flows through the Ladakh region of India and enters Pakistan, eventually draining into the Arabian Sea near Karachi.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #5
Report Error
Which river is the longest tributary of the Ganga?
Correct Answer: Option C
Explanation:
The Yamuna is the longest and the westernmost tributary of the Ganga. It originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in the Uttarakhand Himalayas and joins the Ganga at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj.
The Yamuna is the longest and the westernmost tributary of the Ganga. It originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in the Uttarakhand Himalayas and joins the Ganga at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #6
Report Error
Which of these lakes is situated in the state of Manipur and is famous for its 'Phumdis'?
Correct Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Loktak Lake in Manipur is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. It is world-famous for its 'Phumdis' (heterogeneous masses of vegetation, soil, and organic matter) and for housing the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating park in the world.
Loktak Lake in Manipur is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. It is world-famous for its 'Phumdis' (heterogeneous masses of vegetation, soil, and organic matter) and for housing the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating park in the world.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #7
Report Error
Which river flows through the rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges?
Correct Answer: Option A
Explanation:
The Narmada River is a classic example of a river flowing through a rift valley, bounded by the Vindhya range to the north and the Satpura range to the south. It flows west into the Arabian Sea.
The Narmada River is a classic example of a river flowing through a rift valley, bounded by the Vindhya range to the north and the Satpura range to the south. It flows west into the Arabian Sea.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #8
Report Error
Which of the following is the longest river in Peninsular India?
Correct Answer: Option C
Explanation:
The Godavari is the longest river in Peninsular India and the second longest in India after the Ganga. It is often referred to as the 'Dakshin Ganga' due to its vast drainage area and cultural importance.
The Godavari is the longest river in Peninsular India and the second longest in India after the Ganga. It is often referred to as the 'Dakshin Ganga' due to its vast drainage area and cultural importance.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #9
Report Error
Which of the following is an 'inland saltwater' lake?
Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan is India's largest inland saltwater lake. It is a shallow, ephemeral wetland that receives water from several streams and is a major source of salt production.
Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan is India's largest inland saltwater lake. It is a shallow, ephemeral wetland that receives water from several streams and is a major source of salt production.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #10
Report Error
The Brahmaputra River enters India through which state?
Correct Answer: Option C
Explanation:
The Brahmaputra flows through Tibet (as the Yarlung Tsangpo), enters India through the state of Arunachal Pradesh (where it is called Siang or Dihang), and then enters Assam, where it is known as the Brahmaputra.
The Brahmaputra flows through Tibet (as the Yarlung Tsangpo), enters India through the state of Arunachal Pradesh (where it is called Siang or Dihang), and then enters Assam, where it is known as the Brahmaputra.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #11
Report Error
Which river is known as the 'Life-line of Kerala'?
Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation:
The Periyar River is the longest river in Kerala. It provides a significant portion of the state's drinking water and electricity through the Idukki Dam, making it the lifeline of Kerala.
The Periyar River is the longest river in Kerala. It provides a significant portion of the state's drinking water and electricity through the Idukki Dam, making it the lifeline of Kerala.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #12
Report Error
The 'Hirakud Dam' is located on which river?
Correct Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Hirakud Dam is located on the Mahanadi River in Odisha. It is one of the longest dams in the world and was one of the first major multi-purpose river valley projects undertaken after India's independence.
Hirakud Dam is located on the Mahanadi River in Odisha. It is one of the longest dams in the world and was one of the first major multi-purpose river valley projects undertaken after India's independence.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #13
Report Error
Which river originates from the 'Mahabaleshwar' hills in Maharashtra?
Correct Answer: Option C
Explanation:
The Krishna River originates from the Western Ghats at Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra. It is one of the major water sources for the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
The Krishna River originates from the Western Ghats at Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra. It is one of the major water sources for the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #14
Report Error
The 'Wular Lake' is situated in which state/UT?
Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Wular Lake is a large freshwater lake located in the Bandipora district of Jammu & Kashmir. It is fed by the Jhelum River and acts as a massive natural reservoir.
Wular Lake is a large freshwater lake located in the Bandipora district of Jammu & Kashmir. It is fed by the Jhelum River and acts as a massive natural reservoir.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #15
Report Error
Which river is the 'Tungabhadra' a major tributary of?
Correct Answer: Option C
Explanation:
The Tungabhadra River is formed by the confluence of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers and is the most significant tributary of the Krishna River, providing extensive irrigation in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
The Tungabhadra River is formed by the confluence of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers and is the most significant tributary of the Krishna River, providing extensive irrigation in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #16
Report Error
Which lake is famous for being a 'crater lake' formed by a meteorite strike?
Correct Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Lonar Lake, located in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra, is a unique saline soda lake created by a meteorite impact within the basaltic rock of the Deccan Plateau.
Lonar Lake, located in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra, is a unique saline soda lake created by a meteorite impact within the basaltic rock of the Deccan Plateau.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #17
Report Error
The 'Tehri Dam' is built on the confluence of which two rivers?
Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation:
The Tehri Dam is situated in Uttarakhand at the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Bhilangana rivers. It is one of the highest rock-fill dams in the world.
The Tehri Dam is situated in Uttarakhand at the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Bhilangana rivers. It is one of the highest rock-fill dams in the world.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #18
Report Error
Which of these is a trans-boundary river flowing into the Arabian Sea?
Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation:
The Indus is a trans-boundary river (flowing through China, India, and Pakistan) that eventually empties into the Arabian Sea near Karachi.
The Indus is a trans-boundary river (flowing through China, India, and Pakistan) that eventually empties into the Arabian Sea near Karachi.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #19
Report Error
The 'Vembanad Lake' is situated in:
Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Vembanad Lake is the longest lake in India and is situated in the state of Kerala. It is a vast network of backwaters and lagoons separated from the Arabian Sea by a thin strip of land.
Vembanad Lake is the longest lake in India and is situated in the state of Kerala. It is a vast network of backwaters and lagoons separated from the Arabian Sea by a thin strip of land.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
Question #20
Report Error
Which river flows through the 'Grand Canyon of India' (Gandikota)?
Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation:
The Pennar River carves through the red sandstone rocks at Gandikota, Andhra Pradesh, creating a stunning gorge known as the Grand Canyon of India.
The Pennar River carves through the red sandstone rocks at Gandikota, Andhra Pradesh, creating a stunning gorge known as the Grand Canyon of India.
This question belongs to:
Geography GK
Rivers and Lakes
